Tornjak Information – Everything You Need To Know

The Tornjak is a brave, intelligent and friendly dog breed. The Tornjak fiercely guards its territory and is an excellent guard dog. The dog is suspicious of strangers and is tough to bribe.

This article will go through information about the Tornjak, such as its diet, characteristics, history, and more.

Tornjak’s History

The Tornjak hails from the areas of Croatia and Bosnia, and Herzegovina. The Tornjak has existed for more than a thousand years. The dog was registered under Kanis Montanus’, which means ‘Mountain Dog’.

The local people call the dog ‘Tornjak’, whose main purpose is to protect cattle. Researchers state that the closest living relative of the Tornjak is the Tibetan Mastiff. The Tornjak is a great guard dog; it has modest shelter and food needs and is highly aggressive towards predators.

Tornjak Characteristics

The Tornjak is a large-sized and powerful dog and has a square-shaped body. The dog’s bones are light, and its build is muscular. The Tornjak is extremely loyal to its owner and will fiercely protect him.

The coat of the Tornjak has long and thick hair, and it protects the dog from the cold weather.

The dog also has a short mane around the neck and feathers along the forearms. The tail is coated with long hair, and the dog is coloured with markings of solid colours. Usually, the dominant colour of the dog is white, with white and black mantle markings over the head, legs and neck.

How Big Can A Tornjak Get?

The average weight of a Tornjak is 62 to 110 pounds. On average, the Tornjak is 23 to 28 inches tall.

How Long Can A Tornjak Live?

The lifespan of the Tornjak is typically 12 to 14 years.

How Much Does A Tornjak Cost?

The price of the Tornjak depends on the reputation and location of the breeder. However, the average price of a Tornjak puppy is $ 800 to 1600.

Tornjak Personality/Temperament

The Tornjak is used for herding and protection of the livestock. The dog’s temperament is stable, and he is obedient, courageous, intelligent and calm. When working, the Tornjak aggressively guards its property; it is tough to bribe and is suspicious towards strangers.

The dog will protect the herd and its owner with his life. However, the Tornjak is extremely friendly towards people it knows. The dog is a quick learner and performs all the tasks assigned to him.

Tornjak’s Nutrition

The Tornjak requires high-quality food such as Eukanuba dog food and Nutro dog food. However, you can also prepare meals for the Torjinak at home. However, the diet should be according to the age of the Tornjak (Puppy/Adult/Senior).

If you have a senior Tornjak, you can feed it senior dog food. Some Tornjaks are prone to getting obese, so you will need to watch the quantity of food and avoid overfeeding the dog.

How Do You Groom A Tornjak?

Apart from regularly grooming the Tornjak, you should bathe him occasionally to keep the dog fresh and clean. Grooming is also a bonding experience for the dog and its owner. The nails of the Tornjak, so you should cut them with the help of nail clippers for dogs.

The ears should also be cleaned regularly to avoid the buildup of debris and wax. Use dog ear cleaners to clean the ears.

Activity Levels of the Tornjak

The Tornjak is a trainable and intelligent dog breed and can learn new tasks quickly. When young (Around eight weeks), the Tornjak should be given training lessons. Once the dog has learned the basics, you can begin the obedience lessons.

As far as exercising is concerned, you can let the Tornjak play in a fenced area or take it on a walk several times daily. You can also get the dog involved in indoor activities such as retrieving flying discs or balls, hiking, swimming, etc.

If you live in an apartment, you can even give the Tornjak short walks in the hallway, especially during the winter months. However, while playing with the, ensure you give it short breaks.

Health Concerns for Tornjak

The Tornjak is an extremely healthy and hardy dog breed. However, there are a few health conditions that can affect the dog. Since the Tornjak is a purebred, it can face the following health issues:

• Von Willebrand Disease
• Hip Dysplasia
• GDV (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus) or Bloat
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Obesity

Let’s briefly go over each health condition

Von Willebrand Disease

The Von Willebrand health condition that causes bleeding in dogs. The condition is characterized by a lack of the Von Willebrand factor, a protein required to help blood clots. This condition is also known as Pseudo hemophilia and is also found in humans.

This bleeding disorder is a serious condition, and if not treated promptly, the condition can kill a dog.

Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia is a health condition where the dog shows signs of lameness. This condition is congenital and does not result from an accident or injury. Abnormalities in the bones can cause orthopedic disorders such as elbow dysplasia. While typically dysplasia occurs in both the elbows, sometimes it may just occur in one elbow.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a common health condition in dogs, and it affects the functionality and stability of the hip joint. While this health condition can affect all dog breeds, it is mostly found in large-sized dogs such as the Tibetan Mastiff or the Tojnak.

Dogs suffering from hip dysplasia experience loss of mobility, pain and lameness. Thankfully, there are now many treatments for hip dysplasia that can improve the dog’s quality of life.

Bloat or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus

The gastric dilatation-volvulus occurs in dogs when their stomach expands with food, fluid or gas. This condition disrupts the digestive tract at the entry and exit points of the stomach. The condition obstructs the flow of the spleen. This condition can also cause necrosis (tissue death). The bloat can also cause shocks in dogs, and rare cases, death.

Breeds Similar To a Tornjak

• Tibetan Mastiff
• Greek Shepherd
• Bucovina Shepherd Dog
• Sarplaninac
• Border Collie
• Bernese Mountain Dog

Recommended Reading:

• Best Dog Food
• Best Dog Bowl
• Best Automatic Dog Feeder
• Best Interactive Dog Toys
• Best Dog Playpen
• Best Outdoor Dog Kennel
• Best Dog House
• Best Dog Crate
• Best Dog Treat
• Best Automatic Fetch Machine
• Best Dog Activity Monitor
• Best Dog Food Container
• Best Electronic Dog Door
• Best Dog Ramp
• Best Dog Cooling Vest

Sources

• akc.org
• dogbreedinfo.comfo
• thesprucepets.com